We scoured our cities (all in the name of research, of course) for divine wines. Uncork these fantastic summer sippers just in time for patio season.

Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief
If you love aromatic whites like I do, make it your Mission to score the very first Viognier released by Mission Hill Family Estate (only 1,000 cases were produced). With a gorgeous scent of orange blossom and a peachy palate, it's like summer in a bottle. $18.99 at www.missionhillwinery.com

Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
On behest of a server at The Corner Suite I tried Domaine Uby’s Colombard-Ugni Blanc, a refreshing, citrusy French white and was wildly surprised by both the taste and the price tag. $11.99 at www.bcliquorstores.com

Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor
Cannonball’s label reminds us of spending summers at the lake and catapulting off the dock into the cold water. The Cabernet Sauvignon’s big, bold taste is also perfectly paired with anything from the grill. $29 at Bin 905 Wine and Spirits, 2311 Fourth St. SW, Calgary, 403-261-1600, www.bin905.com

Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor (English edition)
Produced at Tawse’s organic gravity-flow winery, Robyn’s Block Chardonnay 2006 will have us chirping for joy all season long. $47.25 at SAQ Signature, 677 Ste-Catherine W., Montreal, 514-282-9445, www.saq.com

Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor (French edition)
We can’t miss this white from South Africa: Viognier Rustenberg Brampton Coastal Region 2007. Its delicate peach and orange peel scents are perfect with grilled veggies with ginger, fish brochettes on the grill or with a shrimp sauté. Cheers to summer pleasures. $17.50 at www.saq.com

Julie Whelan, Toronto guest editor
Still hooked on Pinot Gris? Our latest fave is from Bodega J&F Lurton. It’s a lovely, dangerously easy-drinking white that tastes like a fortune but rings in at a bargain. $10.95 at www.lcbo.com

Vitamin Daily Vancouver reader Elizabeth wrote, “Hi there, I'm looking for a nice wine and champagne cooler or ice bucket for my boyfriend. Ideally, I'd be able to have it monogrammed. Do you have any suggestions as to where I should go? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks very much.”

Herewith, our picks for cool coolers at three different price points:

For the gadget guy who favours function over flash, the Vacu Vin champagne cooler comes with a removable, reusable insert that chills champagne in five minutes flat sans ice. $64.99 at Homewerx, 1053 Davie St., Vancouver, 604-682-2204, www.homewerx.ca

Liberty’s silver champagne bucket is perfect for the regal gent. The front features an elegant engraved crest with a spot in the centre for adding your own monogram. $149 at Liberty, 1635 W. Broadway, Vancouver, 604-682-7499, www.libertyinside.com

A mod man will love the slick and shiny stainless steel cooler by Alessi with room for more than one bottle and a bigger, bolder engraving. $336 at Inform Interiors, 50 Water St., Vancouver, 604-682-3868, www.informinteriors.com

If you missed the swine flu but think you may have a case of the wine flu, take a dose of these winning bottles picked by our staff and you’ll be better in no time.

This sparkling wine from France’s Loire Valley comes in metallic navy blue packaging with gold script lettering, meaning it looks (and tastes) tres cher, but isn’t. We always keep some in the fridge in case of ‘emergency.’ Monmousseau Cuvée J.M. Brut, $18.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

The elegant ivory Paul Mas label looks perfect on your sideboard. And with notes of leather, tobacco and cherry, guys will love this hefty French bargain, too. Paul Mas Grenache Noir, 2007, $11.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

We’ll be ringing in a new decade with a firm patriotic stand with Trius Brut Niagara Peninsula Mousseux. Part Chardonnay and part Pinot Noire, Niagara’s Trius Brut Mousseux has lovely notes of citrus and apple. $25.70, www.saq.com
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

A nice alternative to champagne, this Italian Prosecco is organic, refreshing, readily available and inexpensive. What's not to love? Villa Teresa Frizzante Prosecco Veneto, $15.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Vouray Moncontour ($19.95) has bubbles so delicate and refined, it’s more like Champagne. Or go crazy and splash out for a bottle of Gosset Grand Millésime Brut Champagne 1999 ($98.25) to drink with your lover. www.saq.com
Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor, French editor

Red, white, rosé: our editor’s sniffed and sipped their way through plenty of bottles of vino and found some delicious summer sippers. Cin cin.

Julie Whelan, Toronto guest editor
This summer we’re drinking Twisted ($16.95) from Flat Rock Cellars. It’s part-Chardonnay, part-Gewurztraminer, part-Riesling and all lovely drinking. At LCBO, www.lcbo.com

Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor
All season we’ll be sipping Malbec/Cabernet Fuzion Organico ($13.90) and dreaming of hot Buenos Aires milongas. At SAQ, www.saq.com

Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor, French edition
While dinner is roasting on the barbeque, enjoy a small glass of the white wine apéritif Dom Brial Muscat de Rivesaltes 2008 ($18.65). At SAQ, www.saq.com

Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor
The third vintage from British Columbia’s Joie Farms, my pick is the Alsace-inspired A Noble Blend ($37). At Bin 905, www.bin905.com

Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
The Okanagan winery turns out award-winning varietals year after year and the crips and floral Wild Goose Gewurztraminer 2007 ($22) white with a touch of lychee sweetness is no exception. At Firefly Fine Wines and Ales, www.fireflyfinewinesandales.com

Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief
A recent trip to Naramata, B.C. had us picking up festive pink 1.5 litre bottles of Joie Rosé ($44) at the corner store—it's Alice Waters’ favourite rosé and the only Canadian wine served at her famous Chez Panisse in Berkley. For retailers visit www.joie.ca

We explored the Okanagan Valley vintners by vehicle and found beaches, nibbles and bottles of blush.

stay
Nix the motor inns: Osoyoos is now home to the lap of luxury at Walnut Beach Resort. In between your winery crawls, soak in the lakeside hot tubs, or curl up under a Palapa umbrella on the private beach for instant exoticness. In addition to the fully-equipped suites, poolside BBQs allow you to grill Golden Mile goodies while taking in the desert sunset. Walnut Beach Resort, 4200 Lakeshore Dr., Osoyoos, www.walnutbeachosoyoos.com

eat
Before tackling the Naramata Bench, fuel up at Summerland’s Victoria Road Deli & Bistro with scrumptious updates on the ol’ panini press. Its signature sandwich features house cured duck, ham and portobello mushrooms, while its mixed frites boast potato, yam and parsnip with smoked tomato and cherry ketchup. On your way out pick up Poplar Grove’s Double Cream Camembert from the adjoining deli for a perfect picnic pairing. Victoria Road Deli & Bistro, 108-13615 Victoria Rd. N, Summerland, www.victoriard.com

shop
Leave Ogopogo souvenirs to the kiddies—on trend this season is the Okanagan rosé. Unlike most syrupy pink Zinfandels, these subtle sippers invoke herbs and stewed strawberries. Our top choices to pick up on your travels are Le Vieux Pin’s 2008 VaΪla Pinot Noir Rosé, See Ya Later Ranch’s 2008 Nelly and Therapy’s 2008 Pink Freud. The only buyer’s remorse you may have depends on whether your trunk is big enough to fit them all. www.sylranch.com

When it comes to big parties or picnics, winos have had two options: elegance at the risk of shattering your fine crystal, or practicality in the form of  ugly plastic cups. We’re tickled rosé to report there’s a third.

The Govino wineglass looks like stemless crystal, but is pharmaceutical-grade plastic that’s unbreakable, reusable and, after a few uses, recyclable. Originally developed for trade wine tastings, there’s even a small thumb indentation to better your grip after a few.

So whether or not we stay classy after one too many, the cup has us covered.

$2.95/glass at Artisan Wine Shop, 119-123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, 604-264-4008, www.artisanwineshop.ca